DAN Robson insists he “wants to win something” with Wasps as the club prepare for their opening game of the Gallagher Premiership season at Gloucester this weekend.
Robson is entering his eighth season with the club and is yet to lift any silverware with Wasps, having twice been a runner-up in Premiership finals.
And Robson believes Wasps were better than their ninth-placed finish last term having fallen out of play-off contention towards the end of the campaign.
Robson said: “We know it’s going to be a massive step up this weekend, hopefully we can keep building, we’ve done a lot of work off the pitch this summer.
“We were better than ninth last year, we let too many games slip at the end, we didn’t quite capitalise enough in the second half of the season, it’s something we’re learning.
“A lot of younger players got a lot of invaluable experience and game time at the top level, hopefully that pays dividends this year when those guys get the chance again.
“We want to compete, I want to be here and win something with this club, it’s such a long season, we’ll see where we’re at, at the end of it.”
The England international began his professional career with Gloucester before making the switch to Wasps ahead of the 2015/16 season.
And the 30-year-old is raring to go as he prepares to face his former side on the opening weekend of the new season.
Robson added: “Gloucester have a big pack, big maul and big scrum, they’ve got a good kicking game and some pretty physical backs.
“We’re going to have to be at our best defensively, we know going there is no easy task, we have to battle up front and hope our backs put us in a good position.
“We had to work hard to beat them last season, we know that’s what it takes to go and win there, we’re looking forward to it, it’s a challenge to go away from home in the first game.
“Everyone is just raring to go and wants to give it a good shot.”
Despite winning both of their pre-season matches, against Doncaster Knights and Dragons RFC, the club’s preparations for the new campaign have been plagued with off-field issues.
Owner Derek Richardson released a statement last month which denied reports the club was about to enter administration after the date to repay bondholders £35m came and went.
And Wasps were also involved in a dispute with Coventry Building Society Arena tenants Coventry City as the Sky Blues were forced to postpone three of their matches after the pitch was deemed ‘unplayable’.
Robson said: “I’ve been here a long time and we’re used to having a lot of negativity thrown at us – whether it’s Cov City stuff or whatever.
“We get on with it, it’s down to us as leaders to take that on board and focus on what we can do.
“It’s tough when it’s pre-season and there’s all that chatter, we feel like we’re a bit helpless, we’re coming in every day and training but not being able to do anything about it.
“It’ll be nice for us to put on that Wasps shirt again and show what we’re about and hopefully, put the club in a good light again.
“It’s all been pretty free-flowing, we’ve got a good communication line with the coaches and everyone above that, everyone has been pretty honest with each other, for us, it’s not too much to worry about.”
Wasps travel to Gloucester on Sunday, September 11 with kick-off at 3pm at Kingsholm.
